PRETORIA – South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has clarified that holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) are not eligible for permanent residence, amid growing confusion over the future of the special permit programme. In a statement issued on April 15, spokesperson and Deputy Director-General for Operations Thulani Mavuso said there has been no change in policy regarding ZEP holders.

HARARE – Government has indicated it is open to reviewing vehicle radio licence fees following growing concerns over affordability, as part of broader efforts to ease the cost of doing business in Zimbabwe. Speaking during a Question and Answer session in the National Assembly, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda said authorities are willing to revisit the current fee structure if the public deems it unsustainable.

HARARE – The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has suspended its controversial 10% local currency retention requirement for small-scale gold miners, reverting to 100% US dollar payments following strong resistance from the sector. The policy reversal comes less than a month after the central bank introduced a 90:10 payment framework on February 27, requiring artisanal miners to receive a portion of their gold proceeds in Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG).